X-arm carriage assembly

ABSTRACT

An X-arm carriage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes a magnet frame, a frame plate, a top plate and a bottom plate that define a rectangular shaped tube structure, first and second support brackets attached to first and second distal ends of the rectangular shaped tube structure to support the X-arm carriage assembly for movement along an x-axis, an encoder strip, a top linear rail mounted and a bottom linear rail adapted to moveably support a print head carriage on the X-arm carriage assembly along a y-axis, a longitudinal slot formed within the magnet frame, and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slot and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, the linear motor magnet track including one of a single magnet and a plurality of magnets mounted adjacent one another.

The present disclosure relates to an x-arm carriage for an additivemanufacturing machine.

A typical additive manufacturing machine includes a printing head, athree-dimensional object or part build table, a supporting structure forthe build table, such as a Cartesian gantry to allow the build table tomove up and down along a Z-axis, and a structure that supports the printhead. A three dimensional object or part is initiated and built upon thebuild table as a filament passes through the print head, softens ormelts in the print head, and is deposited on the build table or onto aprevious layer of the three dimensional part. The build table is capableof moving up and down along a z-axis to allow successive layers of thethree-dimensional part to be placed. The print head is capable ofmovement along the x-axis and the y-axis, or a combination of thesedirections to create the two-dimensional shape of each layer.

Various robotic arms and moving gantry structures have been used toprovide for movement of the print head within the additive manufacturingmachine. An important aspect of the additive manufacturing machine isthe ability to accurately position the print head and precisely move theprint head during printing to create intricate and detailed shapes.Another important aspect of the additive manufacturing machine is theoverall weight and size of the structure used to provide support andmovement of the print head within the additive manufacturing machine.

Thus, while current additive manufacturing machines achieve theirintended purpose, there is a need for a new and improved additivemanufacturing machine that incorporates an X-arm carriage assembly thatprovides accurate movement and positioning of the print head and reducesoverall size and weight of the additive manufacturing machine.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, an X-armcarriage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes avertically oriented magnet frame, a first support bracket attached to afirst distal end of the magnet frame and a second support bracketattached to a second distal end of the magnet frame, the first andsecond support bracket adapted to support the X-arm carriage assemblywithin an additive manufacturing machine for movement within theadditive manufacturing machine along an x-axis, an encoder strip mountedonto a first side of the magnet frame adjacent a top edge of the magnetframe and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, a top linearrail mounted onto the first side of the magnet frame adjacent theencoder strip and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, and abottom linear rail mounted onto the first side of the magnet frameadjacent a bottom edge of the magnet frame, the top linear rail and thebottom linear rail adapted to moveably support a print head carriage onthe X-arm carriage along a y-axis, a longitudinal slot formed within themagnet frame between the top linear rail and the bottom linear rail, anda linear motor magnet track mounted onto a second side of the magnetframe in alignment with the longitudinal slot and extendinglongitudinally along the magnet frame.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track includes asingle magnet.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track includes aplurality of magnets mounted adjacent one another to the second side ofthe magnet frame.

According to another aspect, the X-arm carriage assembly furtherincludes a top plate, a bottom plate and a frame plate, the frame plateoriented vertically, parallel to and spaced from the second side of themagnet frame, the top plate extending horizontally between the magnetframe and the frame plate, adjacent a top edge of the frame plate, andthe bottom plate extending horizontally between the magnet frame and theframe plate, adjacent a bottom edge of the frame plate, parallel to andspaced from the top plate.

According to another aspect, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frameplate and the bottom plate are made from aluminum.

According to another aspect, the frame plate includes a plurality ofopenings formed therein.

According to another aspect, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frameplate and the bottom plate define a rectangular shaped tube structureextending between the first and second support brackets.

According to another aspect, the X-arm carriage further including areinforcement insert positioned within the rectangular shaped tubestructure defined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plateand the bottom plate.

According to another aspect the reinforcement insert is held in place byfriction between the reinforcement insert and the magnet frame, the topplate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is held in placeby one of clamping or bolting to the rectangular shaped tube structuredefined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and thebottom plate.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is made from acomposite material.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is made fromcarbon fiber.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track is adapted tooperationally engage a single sided linear motor of a print headcarriage supported on the top and bottom linear rails.

According to another aspect, the encoder strip is adapted to read anencoder on a print head carriage supported on the top and bottom linearrails to detect the position of the print head carriage on the X-armcarriage.

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, an X-armcarriage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes avertically oriented magnet frame, a frame plate oriented vertically,parallel to and spaced from a second side of the magnet frame andincluding a plurality of openings formed therein, a top plate extendinghorizontally between the magnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent atop edge of the frame plate, a bottom plate extending horizontallybetween the magnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent a bottom edge ofthe frame plate, parallel to and spaced from the top plate, the magnetframe, the top plate, the frame plate and a bottom plate defining arectangular shaped tube structure, a first support bracket attached to afirst distal end of the rectangular shaped tube structure and a secondsupport bracket attached to a second distal end of the rectangularshaped tube structure, the first and second support bracket adapted tosupport the X-arm carriage assembly within an additive manufacturingmachine for movement within the additive manufacturing machine along anx-axis, an encoder strip mounted onto a first side of the magnet frameadjacent a top edge of the magnet frame and extending longitudinallyalong the magnet frame, a top linear rail mounted onto the first side ofthe magnet frame adjacent the encoder strip and extending longitudinallyalong the magnet frame, and a bottom linear rail mounted onto the firstside of the magnet frame adjacent a bottom edge of the magnet frame, thetop linear rail and the bottom linear rail adapted to moveably support aprint head carriage on the X-arm carriage along a y-axis, a longitudinalslot formed within the magnet frame between the top linear rail and thebottom linear rail, and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto thesecond side of the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slotand extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, the linear motormagnet track including one of a single magnet and a plurality of magnetsmounted adjacent one another.

According to another aspect, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frameplate and the bottom plate are made from aluminum.

According to another aspect, the X-arm carriage assembly furtherincludes a reinforcement insert positioned within the rectangular shapedtube structure defined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frameplate and the bottom plate.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is held in placeby friction between the reinforcement insert and the magnet frame, thetop plate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is held in placeby one of clamping or bolting to the rectangular shaped tube structuredefined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and thebottom plate.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is made from acomposite material.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is made fromcarbon fiber.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track is adapted tooperationally engage a single sided linear motor of a print headcarriage supported on the top and bottom linear rails and the encoderstrip is adapted to read an encoder on the print head carriage supportedon the top and bottom linear rails to detect the position of the printhead carriage on the X-arm carriage.

According to several aspects of the present disclosure, an X-armcarriage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine includes avertically oriented magnet frame, a frame plate oriented vertically,parallel to and spaced from a second side of the magnet frame andincluding a plurality of openings formed therein, a top plate extendinghorizontally between the magnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent atop edge of the frame plate, a bottom plate extending horizontallybetween the magnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent a bottom edge ofthe frame plate, parallel to and spaced from the top plate, the magnetframe, the top plate, the frame plate and the bottom plate defining arectangular shaped tube structure, a reinforcement insert positionedwithin the rectangular shaped tube structure, a first support bracketattached to a first distal end of the rectangular shaped tube structureand a second support bracket attached to a second distal end of therectangular shaped tube structure, the first and second support bracketadapted to support the X-arm carriage assembly within an additivemanufacturing machine for movement within the additive manufacturingmachine along an x-axis, an encoder strip mounted onto a first side ofthe magnet frame adjacent a top edge of the magnet frame and extendinglongitudinally along the magnet frame, the encoder strip adapted to readan encoder on a print head carriage supported on the top and bottomlinear rails to detect the position of the print head carriage on theX-arm carriage, a top linear rail mounted onto the first side of themagnet frame adjacent the encoder strip and extending longitudinallyalong the magnet frame, and a bottom linear rail mounted onto the firstside of the magnet frame adjacent a bottom edge of the magnet frame, thetop linear rail and the bottom linear rail adapted to moveably support aprint head carriage on the X-arm carriage along a y-axis, a longitudinalslot formed within the magnet frame between the top linear rail and thebottom linear rail, and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto thesecond side of the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slotand extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, the linear motormagnet track is adapted to operationally engage a single sided linearmotor of a print head carriage supported on the top and bottom linearrails.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track includes asingle magnet.

According to another aspect, the linear motor magnet track includes aplurality of magnets mounted adjacent one another to the second side ofthe magnet frame.

According to another aspect, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frameplate and the bottom plate are made from aluminum.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is held in placeby one of clamping to the rectangular shaped tube structure, bolting tothe rectangular shaped tube structure, and friction between thereinforcement insert and the rectangular shaped tube structure.

According to another aspect, the reinforcement insert is made from oneof a composite material and carbon fiber.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an X-carriage assembly according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the X-carriage assembly shown in FIG. 1, wherein the X-carriage assembly is rotated relative to the orientationshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is the perspective view shown in FIG. 2 , wherein a top plate anda frame plate of the X-carriage assembly have been removed; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of the X-carriage assembly shown in FIG. 1 ,wherein a second support bracket is removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , an X-arm carriage assembly 10for an additive manufacturing machine includes a vertically orientedmagnet frame 12, a frame plate 14, a top plate 16 and a bottom plate 18.The frame plate 14 is oriented vertically, parallel to and spaced from asecond side 20 of the magnet frame 12. In an exemplary embodiment, theframe plate 14 includes a plurality of openings 22 formed therein. Thetop plate 16 extends horizontally between the magnet frame 12 and theframe plate 14, adjacent a top edge 26 of the frame plate 14. The bottomplate 18 extends horizontally between the magnet frame 12 and the frameplate 14, adjacent a bottom edge 28 of the frame plate 14 and a bottomedge 30 of the magnet frame 12, parallel to and spaced from the topplate 16.

The magnet frame 12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14 and the bottomplate 18 define a rectangular shaped tube structure 32. The magnet frame12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14 and the bottom plate 18 may befastened to one another by known means such as bolts, machine screws,rivets, welding, ultra-sonic welding, etc.

A first support bracket 34 is attached to a first distal end 36 of therectangular shaped tube structure 32 and a second support bracket 38 isattached to a second distal end 40 of the rectangular shaped tubestructure 32. The first and second support brackets 34, 38 are adaptedto support the X-arm carriage assembly 10 within an additivemanufacturing machine for movement within the additive manufacturingmachine along an x-axis 42. In an exemplary embodiment, the first andsecond support brackets 34, 38 are supported on rails within theadditive manufacturing machine. A mover, such as a servo motor or linearmotor may act on one or both of the first and second support brackets34, 38 to move the X-arm carriage assembly 10 back and forth within theadditive manufacturing machine along the x-axis 42.

An encoder strip 44 is mounted onto a first side 46 of the magnet frame12 adjacent a top edge 48 of the magnet frame 12. The encoder strip 44extends longitudinally along the magnet frame 12. In an exemplaryembodiment, the encoder strip 44 is integrated into the first side 46 ofthe magnet frame 12. Integration of an encoder strip 44 into the magnetframe 12 reduces mass and increases stiffness of the magnet frame 12.

A top linear rail 50 is mounted onto the first side 46 of the magnetframe 12 adjacent the encoder strip 44 and extends longitudinally alongthe magnet frame 12. A bottom linear rail 52 is mounted onto the firstside 46 of the magnet frame 12 adjacent the bottom edge 30 of the magnetframe 12 and extends longitudinally along the magnet frame 12. The toplinear rail 50 and the bottom linear rail 52 are adapted to moveablysupport a print head carriage on the X-arm carriage assembly 10 andallow the print head carriage to move back and forth between the firstand second distal ends 36, 40 along a y-axis 54.

A longitudinal slot 56 is formed within the magnet frame 12 parallel toand between the top linear rail 50 and the bottom linear rail 52. Thelongitudinal slot 56 extends substantially the same length as the topand bottom linear rails 50, 52. A linear motor magnet track 58 ismounted onto the second side 20 of the magnet frame 12 in alignment withthe longitudinal slot 56 and extending longitudinally along the magnetframe 12. The linear motor magnet track 58 is attached to the secondside 20 of the magnet frame 12 by known means, such as bolts, machinescrews, etc. The linear motor magnet track 58 substantially covers thelongitudinal slot 56 formed within the magnet frame 12. In an exemplaryembodiment, the linear motor magnet track 58 is a single magnet. Asingle piece linear motor magnet track 58 provides substantialadditional stiffness for the magnet frame 12 and the X-arm carriageassembly 10. In another exemplary embodiment, the linear motor magnettrack 58 includes a plurality of magnets mounted adjacent one another.

An important aspect of the X-arm carriage assembly 10 is stiffness.Stiffness of the X-arm carriage assembly 10 ensures that the position ofthe print head can be accurately and precisely controlled duringcreation of a three dimensional part created with the additivemanufacturing machine. The rectangular shaped tube structure 32 of theX-arm carriage assembly 10 provides stiffness. The magnet frame 12, thetop plate 16, the frame plate 14 and the bottom plate 18 may be madefrom any suitable material that provides strength and stiffnesscharacteristics adequate for the application. In an exemplaryembodiment, the magnet frame 12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14and the bottom plate 18 are made from aluminum. The improved structuralcharacteristics of the X-arm carriage assembly 10 allows material to beremoved, such as the openings 22 formed within the frame plate 14, toreduce mass.

Referring to FIG. 4 , an end view of the X-arm carriage assembly 10 isshown with the second support bracket 38 removed. In an exemplaryembodiment, the X-arm carriage assembly 10 includes a reinforcementinsert 60 positioned within the rectangular shaped tube structure 32defined by the magnet frame 12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14 andthe bottom plate 18. The reinforcement insert 60 provides additionalstructural support within the rectangular shaped tube structure 32 toprovide added stiffness. The reinforcement insert 60 may be held inplace by friction between the reinforcement insert 60 and the magnetframe 12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14 and the bottom plate 18.Alternatively, the reinforcement insert 60 is held in place by one ofclamping or bolting to the rectangular shaped tube structure 32 definedby the magnet frame 12, the top plate 16, the frame plate 14 and thebottom plate 18.

For improved weight and stiffness characteristics, the reinforcementinsert 60 is made from a composite material or carbon fiber, which willprovide added stiffness without adding much weight to the X-arm carriageassembly 10.

The linear motor magnet track 58 is adapted to operationally engage asingle sided linear motor of a print head carriage supported on the topand bottom linear rails 50, 52. The encoder strip 44 is adapted to readan encoder on the print head carriage supported on the top and bottomlinear rails 50, 52 to detect the position of the print head carriage onthe X-arm carriage assembly 10. The single sided linear motor moves theprint head carriage back and forth on the top and bottom linear rails50, 52 along the y-axis 54. The encoder strip 44 allows the additivemanufacturing machine to locate the print head carrier accurately alongthe X-arm carriage assembly 10.

An X-arm carriage assembly 10 of the present disclosure offers severaladvantages. These include improved stiffness and mass reduction. TheX-arm carriage assembly 10 of the present disclosure may be incorporatedwith a new additive manufacturing machine, or may be retro-fitted toimprove performance of an existing additive manufacturing machine. Inaddition, the X-arm carriage assembly 10 of the present disclosure maybe tuned for particular applications. The specific dimensions of the topplate 16, bottom plate 18, magnet frame 12 and frame plate 14, as wellas strategic placement of openings 22 formed therein can be optimizedfor the loading characteristics of the X-arm carriage assembly 10 for aspecific application.

The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in natureand variations that do not depart from the gist of the presentdisclosure are intended to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-arm carriage assembly for an additivemanufacturing machine, comprising: a vertically oriented magnet frame; aframe plate oriented vertically, parallel to and spaced from a secondside of the magnet frame; a top plate extending horizontally between themagnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent a top edge of the frameplate; a bottom plate extending horizontally between the magnet frameand the frame plate, adjacent a bottom edge of the frame plate, parallelto and spaced from the top plate; a first support bracket attached to afirst distal end of the magnet frame and a second support bracketattached to a second distal end of the magnet frame, the first andsecond support bracket adapted to support the X-arm carriage assemblywithin an additive manufacturing machine for movement within theadditive manufacturing machine along an x-axis; an encoder strip mountedonto a first side of the magnet frame adjacent a top edge of the magnetframe and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame; a top linearrail mounted onto the first side of the magnet frame adjacent theencoder strip and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, and abottom linear rail mounted onto the first side of the magnet frameadjacent a bottom edge of the magnet frame, the top linear rail and thebottom linear rail adapted to moveably support a print head carriage onthe X-arm carriage assembly along a y-axis; a longitudinal slot formedwithin the magnet frame between the top linear rail and the bottomlinear rail; and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto the secondside of the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slot andextending longitudinally along the magnet frame.
 2. The X-arm carriageassembly of claim 1, wherein the linear motor magnet track includes asingle magnet.
 3. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 1, wherein thelinear motor magnet track includes a plurality of magnets mountedadjacent one another to the second side of the magnet frame.
 4. TheX-arm carriage assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnet frame, the topplate, the frame plate and the bottom plate are made from aluminum. 5.The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame plate includesa plurality of openings formed therein.
 6. The X-arm carriage assemblyof claim 1, wherein the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate andthe bottom plate define a rectangular shaped tube structure extendingbetween the first and second support brackets.
 7. The X-arm carriageassembly of claim 6, further including a reinforcement insert positionedwithin the rectangular shaped tube structure defined by the magnetframe, the top plate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.
 8. The X-armcarriage assembly of claim 7, wherein the reinforcement insert is heldin place by friction between the reinforcement insert and the magnetframe, the top plate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.
 9. The X-armcarriage assembly of claim 7, wherein the reinforcement insert is heldin place by one of clamping or bolting to the rectangular shaped tubestructure defined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plateand the bottom plate.
 10. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 7,wherein the reinforcement insert is made from a composite material. 11.The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 7, wherein the reinforcement insertis made from carbon fiber.
 12. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 1,wherein the linear motor magnet track is adapted to operationally engagea single sided linear motor of a print head carriage supported on thetop and bottom linear rails.
 13. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim12, wherein the encoder strip is adapted to read an encoder on a printhead carriage supported on the top and bottom linear rails to detect theposition of the print head carriage on the X-arm carriage assembly. 14.An X-arm carriage assembly for an additive manufacturing machine,comprising: a vertically oriented magnet frame; a frame plate orientedvertically, parallel to and spaced from a second side of the magnetframe and including a plurality of openings formed therein; a top plateextending horizontally between the magnet frame and the frame plate,adjacent a top edge of the frame plate; a bottom plate extendinghorizontally between the magnet frame and the frame plate, adjacent abottom edge of the frame plate, parallel to and spaced from the topplate, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and a bottomplate defining a rectangular shaped tube structure; a first supportbracket attached to a first distal end of the rectangular shaped tubestructure and a second support bracket attached to a second distal endof the rectangular shaped tube structure, the first and second supportbracket adapted to support the X-arm carriage assembly within anadditive manufacturing machine for movement within the additivemanufacturing machine along an x-axis; an encoder strip mounted onto afirst side of the magnet frame adjacent a top edge of the magnet frameand extending longitudinally along the magnet frame; a top linear railmounted onto the first side of the magnet frame adjacent the encoderstrip and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, and a bottomlinear rail mounted onto the first side of the magnet frame adjacent abottom edge of the magnet frame, the top linear rail and the bottomlinear rail adapted to moveably support a print head carriage on theX-arm carriage assembly along a y-axis; a longitudinal slot formedwithin the magnet frame between the top linear rail and the bottomlinear rail; and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto the secondside of the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slot andextending longitudinally along the magnet frame, the linear motor magnettrack including one of a single magnet and a plurality of magnetsmounted adjacent one another.
 15. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim14, wherein the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and thebottom plate are made from aluminum.
 16. The X-arm carriage assembly ofclaim 14, further including a reinforcement insert positioned within therectangular shaped tube structure defined by the magnet frame, the topplate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.
 17. The X-arm carriageassembly of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement insert is held in placeby friction between the reinforcement insert and the magnet frame, thetop plate, the frame plate and the bottom plate.
 18. The X-arm carriageassembly of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement insert is held in placeby one of clamping or bolting to the rectangular shaped tube structuredefined by the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and thebottom plate.
 19. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 16, wherein thereinforcement insert is made from a composite material.
 20. The X-armcarriage assembly of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement insert is madefrom carbon fiber.
 21. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 14, whereinthe linear motor magnet track is adapted to operationally engage asingle sided linear motor of a print head carriage supported on the topand bottom linear rails and the encoder strip is adapted to read anencoder on the print head carriage supported on the top and bottomlinear rails to detect the position of the print head carriage on theX-arm carriage assembly.
 22. An X-arm carriage assembly for an additivemanufacturing machine, comprising: a vertically oriented magnet frame; aframe plate oriented vertically, parallel to and spaced from a secondside of the magnet frame and including a plurality of openings formedtherein; a top plate extending horizontally between the magnet frame andthe frame plate, adjacent a top edge of the frame plate; a bottom plateextending horizontally between the magnet frame and the frame plate,adjacent a bottom edge of the frame plate, parallel to and spaced fromthe top plate, the magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and thebottom plate defining a rectangular shaped tube structure; areinforcement insert positioned within the rectangular shaped tubestructure; a first support bracket attached to a first distal end of therectangular shaped tube structure and a second support bracket attachedto a second distal end of the rectangular shaped tube structure, thefirst and second support bracket adapted to support the X-arm carriageassembly within an additive manufacturing machine for movement withinthe additive manufacturing machine along an x-axis; an encoder stripmounted onto a first side of the magnet frame adjacent a top edge of themagnet frame and extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, theencoder strip adapted to read an encoder on a print head carriage todetect the position of the print head carriage on the X-arm carriageassembly; a top linear rail mounted onto the first side of the magnetframe adjacent the encoder strip and extending longitudinally along themagnet frame, and a bottom linear rail mounted onto the first side ofthe magnet frame adjacent a bottom edge of the magnet frame, the toplinear rail and the bottom linear rail adapted to moveably support theprint head carriage on the X-arm carriage along a y-axis; a longitudinalslot formed within the magnet frame between the top linear rail and thebottom linear rail; and a linear motor magnet track mounted onto thesecond side of the magnet frame in alignment with the longitudinal slotand extending longitudinally along the magnet frame, the linear motormagnet track is adapted to operationally engage a single sided linearmotor of a print head carriage supported on the top and bottom linearrails.
 23. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 22, wherein the linearmotor magnet track includes a single magnet.
 24. The X-arm carriageassembly of claim 22, wherein the linear motor magnet track includes aplurality of magnets mounted adjacent one another to the second side ofthe magnet frame.
 25. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 22, whereinthe magnet frame, the top plate, the frame plate and the bottom plateare made from aluminum.
 26. The X-arm carriage assembly of claim 22,wherein the reinforcement insert is held in place by one of clamping tothe rectangular shaped tube structure, bolting to the rectangular shapedtube structure, and friction between the reinforcement insert and therectangular shaped tube structure.
 27. The X-arm carriage assembly ofclaim 22, wherein the reinforcement insert is made from one of acomposite material and carbon fiber.